AMBRIDGE, Sept. 10 – New grant funding of $9,500 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will support the operations of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is a commission member and chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said the funding will ensure the foundation can continue critical preservation work and educational programs and exhibits. “As our county’s official historical society, the foundation collects, preserves and archives important pieces of our history,” Matzie said. “But they also offer unique events and exhibits that engage young people, spark their interest in history, and make our region’s unique past relatable to people of all ages. The new funding will ensure that they can continue this vital work that connects us to our heritage.” Matzie said that in addition to the funding to the foundation, PHMC awarded eight grants totaling $342,000 to Allegheny County museums and historical centers. The funding was awarded under the 2026-27 Cultural and Historical Support Grant program. More information about the program is available here: https://www.pa.gov/services/phmc/apply-for-a-cultural-and-historical-support-grant . Read more
State grant programs currently accepting applications Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – Following the release of new enrollment numbers under PENNIE, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, which show significant disenrollments to date in 2026, state Reps. Jen Mazzocco, Arvind Venkat and Steve Samuelson are calling for action on their legislation to increase affordable healthcare coverage in the state. As of September 2026, 417,000 people are enrolled in PENNIE. In the last nine months, following federal inaction to renew enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, 202,000 people disenrolled. From 2021 to 2025, PENNIE enrollment grew by 150,000, and now net enrollment is down more than 75,000. The legislators introduced H.B. 2550 , legislation that would create a state tax credit for small businesses that contribute to their employees’ health coverage. The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and awaits consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. “It’s disheartening to see even more Pennsylvanians losing their health insurance,” said Mazzocco , prime sponsor of the legislation. “No one in the commonwealth should have to disregard their well-being for financial reasons. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to make quality affordable healthcare accessible to all and reverse this discouraging enrollment trend.” Venkat, a board member of PENNIE and the General Assembly’s only Read more
South Allegheny School District has been awarded two state grants of $25,000 for school safety measures, according to state Reps. Dan Goughnour and John Inglis, and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, all D-Allegheny. Read more
State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, a leading advocate in Pennsylvania of protecting children from digital harm, described today’s settlement in Meta’s major federal lawsuit over youth social media addiction as only one step in the right direction in the effort to create a healthier online environment for children Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 24 – To recognize the extraordinary sacrifices of military servicemembers, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Charity Grimm Krupa have announced their intention to introduce bipartisan legislation that would expand tuition assistance for the children of those members of the military who were certified 100% disabled due to combat, killed-in-action or died as a result of injuries in the line-of-service, awarded the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart, held as a prisoner-of-war, or declared missing-in-action. Current law, which has not been updated for nearly 40 years, allows the children of veterans with extraordinary service records to receive $500 in tuition assistance for higher education per semester. This new proposal would triple that support to $1,500 per semester and cover gaps in eligibility for federal or state tuition assistance. “Our military servicemembers and their families have made some of the most difficult sacrifices anyone can,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will help ease the financial burden on military families and expand access to education while also recognizing the service and sacrifice that protect our freedoms.” Grimm Krupa has a rich family history of military service. Her father served in the Army, and two of her brothers served in the armed forces -- the Army and the Marine Corps, respectively. “Freedom has never been free, and the Read more
“Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that does not require regular property reassessments. Some of our counties have gone more than five decades without reassessment. This has created significant disparities between similarly situated properties and unfairly shifted the property tax burden among homeowners, especially in areas where school districts cross county lines.“Regular reassessments would give taxpayers greater transparency and predictability while giving our schools and local governments the information they need to plan for the future. This is an opportunity to finally fix this broken, inequitable system that impacts homeowners, renters, school districts and municipalities statewide.” Read more
BRADDOCK, Aug. 17 – Marking National Nonprofit Day, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced that registration is now open for the Fourth Annual Nonprofit Symposium. Salisbury, who has hosted the event annually for the past three years, said the Oct. 15 symposium at the Monroeville Convention Center will be the largest to date and will feature new sessions tailored to nonprofits’ needs. “Nonprofits and the people who run them are on the front lines of some of our most essential services, from fighting food insecurity and operating afterschool programs to connecting residents with mental health resources and other services that knit our community together and make life better,” Salisbury said. “This year’s symposium will feature expert sessions to help nonprofits access and maximize state funding, cultivate recurring small donors, manage risk, tell their story, make the most of social media and promote staff mental health and wellness, so they can do even more for the community they love. “I’m excited that we are opening registration today to what I know is going to be our most helpful symposium yet.” Salisbury said that registration is required and can be completed by visiting this page: https://www.pahouse.com/salisbury/RSVP/?id=1942 or by going to her webpage at www.RepSalisbury.com and clicking on the link titled “Nonprofit Symposium.” Anyone with Read more
FRANKLIN PARK, Aug. 12 – Soergel Orchards, a family-owned homestead, market and orchard based in Franklin Park with farms across Allegheny and Butler counties, will receive a $24,584 state grant with support from state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny. The funds will allow Soergel Orchards to purchase an agricultural drone. Common uses for drones in agriculture include mapping and surveying, crop monitoring, water management, and precision application of fertilizer and pesticides. “I am always proud to support our local farmers and ensure they have the resources they need,” Venkat said. “This is especially true for Soergel Orchards, which has been a staple of the North Hills for over 170 years and still finds new ways to develop and innovate their work. I look forward to seeing how this funding backs their work for our community.” This project is one of 97 recently announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through its first-in-the-nation Agricultural Innovation Grant Program , which helps agricultural businesses implement innovative technology to improve efficiency, increase production, protect soil and water resources, and generate clean, renewable energy. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 4 – The City of Pittsburgh has been awarded $1,533,315.69 from the state’s Greenlight-Go Program to replace outdated traffic signals at three intersections, announced local state Reps. Aerion Abney, Lindsay Powell and La’Tasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny. The funding will serve to replace traffic signals at the following intersections: Bingham and 10th Streets in the South Side Flats, located in Abney’s district. Butler and Main Streets in Lawrenceville, located in Powell’s district. East Liberty Boulevard and Larimer Avenue in the neighborhoods of the same name, located in Mayes’ district. "This investment will improve safety and reliability for everyone who travels through the South Side,” said Abney , chair of the House Democratic Allegheny County Delegation . “Replacing outdated traffic signals at the Bingham Street and 10th Street intersection will help keep pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers moving more safely and efficiently. I'm proud to support state investments that strengthen our infrastructure and improve daily commutes for Pittsburgh residents." “This funding will help to ensure that our local roads are safer for both drivers and pedestrians,” said Powell , city vice chair of the Allegheny Delegation. “This is especially true for Lawrenceville, where an intersection along our most significant Read more
Statement from state Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes on Medicaid coverage of abortion care in Pennsylvania Read more
HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury issued the following statement after voting today to pass H.B. 1042 – legislation that would replace the automatic life without parole sentence for second-degree murder with sentencing linked to an offender’s level of culpability: “After finding that an automatic life without parole sentence for second-degree murder violates the state constitution’s prohibition on cruel punishments, our state high court asked lawmakers to develop a fairer system for imposing sentencing in these cases, which involve offenders who commit underlying felonies that result in a death. “I’m satisfied that our response today in passing H.B. 1042 strikes the right balance between maintaining accountability for these crimes and delivering individualized justice that is tailored to a defendant’s culpability. “We can be thoughtful in our sentencing without sacrificing the demands of justice. In fact, sentencing based on an individual, case-by-case analysis of the defendant’s personal role, intent and culpability is already the practice in many states. “The proposed legislation, which would require judges to consider a defendant’s individual culpability and circumstances, would allow for fairer, more responsible sentencing that recognizes that defendants in felony murder cases have widely different degrees of involvement and culpability. Read more
$6.5 million in grants awarded to community organizations within Mayes’ district Read more
“If workers can’t afford to live near their jobs, everyone pays a price – workers lack mobility in switching jobs, employers struggle to find workers and residents lack the services they need,” said state Rep. Jen Mazzocco, who represents portions of Allegheny County and co-hosted a House Majority Policy Committee roundtable and tour on the topic. “Building location-efficient housing not only unites our neighborhoods but also makes our communities stronger and more economically resilient.” Read more
HARRISBURG, July 21 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury and signed into law Monday will clear the way for employees of certain state licensees to work remotely, improving convenience for consumers and making it easier for employers to hire and retain workers. Act 35 of 2026 – signed by the governor on Monday – will permit employees whose employers are licensed under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act to work from off-site locations. “Technology is changing the way we do business, and our state employment laws need to keep pace,” Salisbury said. “Allowing these employees to work remotely will allow consumers to get help when they need it – even if a branch office is closed – and will help employers recruit and retain talented workers. The new law will also help workers in the field by eliminating commuting and other costs and providing them greater flexibility to navigate family and other life responsibilities.” Salisbury introduced the legislation together with state Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill. Read more
"This funding is a direct investment in our local economy and the people who keep it running," said state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. "From paving to packaging to manufacturing, these projects will create jobs and help our businesses grow right here at home." Read more
“These dollars will be funding projects to keep vulnerable residents safer, improve access to state-of-the-art healthcare resources and expand our urban agriculture capabilities,” Salisbury said. “In addition to fighting food insecurity, the new agriculture hub in Wilkinsburg is going to bring new workforce development and educational opportunities. The funding to POWER House in Swissvale will keep vulnerable residents safer and more comfortable as they transition out of recovery.“I’m excited to see all the funding take root, and I’m grateful to the governor and our local partners for helping to bring it home.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, July 16 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, today welcomed $6 million in grant funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to community revitalization projects in her legislative district. “Aging buildings provide prime opportunities to revitalize our community through the creation of new commercial and residential spaces,” said Powell. “This funding will bring new opportunities to our community and continue our region’s development into a place people are proud to call their home. “I look forward to seeing these developments come to fruition, and I will keep working to help projects like these that create opportunities for the future of our community.” The projects supported with this funding include: $5 million to MI Strip Works LLC for the creation of Brickworks, a 3.5-acre, two-city block residential development in the Strip District that will include two multi-purpose, multi-family buildings, each with residential units and in-building parking. $500,000 to 358 Butler LLC for restoration of three existing buildings in Etna to create a mixed-use development of residential and commercial storefronts. $500,000 to the Millvale Borough Development Corporation to cover construction costs to complete exterior work and plumbing/sewer tap in at the 216 North Avenue Zero Energy Mixed-Use Hub. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Read more
McCANDLESS, July 16 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, today announced $2.35 million in grant funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support two projects in the Town of McCandless – one aiding local youth recreation and the other benefiting first responders. North Allegheny School District will receive $1.25 million to renovate the school’s aquatics center, including upgrades to extend the life of the existing diving and teaching pool, the creation of a separate diving well, and expansion of spectator and locker areas. “North Allegheny’s aquatics center helps keep many of our local students and community members active and healthy,” Venkat said. “The swimming and diving teams at North Allegheny are frequent WPIAL champions, with the girls having 18 consecutive titles and the boys winning back-to-back PIAA state championships this year. “Athletics are crucial for many of our students, and these funds will go a long way to help our student-athletes achieve these regional and state victories.” The other local grant in this announcement will award $1.1 million to the Allegheny Police and Fire Academy to support electrical work, replacing the academy’s existing generator and installing a new, larger generator to better support the entire building and its role as an emergency operations center. “Our first responders help keep Read more
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